Carbureter.



G. L. HARVEY.

CARBURETEB.

(Application filed Dec. 7, 1901.)

Patented Dec. I6, |902.

4 Sheets-Sheet I.

No. 7I6,227.. l Patented Dec. I6, |902.

G. L. HARVEY.

CARBURETER.

Y \App1ication led Dec. 7, 1001.) (No model.) 4 sneats-shef 4.

',NiTnn raras Y arr-ENT Fries.

GEORGE L. HARVEY, OF EVANSTON'QILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE ACME GAS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CARBURETER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 716,227, dated. December 16, 1902.

Applicationled December 7, 1901. Serial No. 85,072. (No model.)

To aJZZ whom it mrtg/concern:

Be it known that Ii,-GEORGE L. HARVEY, a resident of Evanston, in the countyxof Cook and State of lIllinois,-have invented-certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Making Apparatus, of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to improvements in gas-making apparatus, and refers more specifically to apparatus of that type adapted to produce gas from. hydrocarbons by passing air therethrough under pressure.

Among the salient objects of the present invention are to provide a construction iu which the iow of oil from one to another of aseries of closed carbureting-chambers is unaffected substantially by variations in air or gas pressure in dierent chambers of the series and wherein a plurality of such series are arranged in multiple,fto provide interconnections between such multiple series whereby the different series may operate uniformly and, if desired, independently of eachother without rearranging the pipe connections, to provide improvements in the detail of construction and arrangement whereby the iiow of both gas-forming elements is efficiently regulated and controlled, to provide, in conjunction with gas-making apparatus of the general type referred to, a series of storage and circulatingreservoirs wherein the hydrocarbon-supply is kept, inodied in temperature, mixed, and stored, to provide improved connections between the several reservoirs and between the latter and the generating system, and in general to provide an improved syste'm of apparatus of the character referred to.

To these ends the invention consists in the matters hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and will be readily understood from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure lis a plan View of -two series of carbureters and connections of a preferred embodiment of `my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a series of reservoirs and the pipe connections thereof. A Fig. .4 is a vertical transverse section of the apparatus, taken on the line 4 t of Fig. 2,-loolring in the direction of the arrow.

Referring to the drawings, l 2 3 and l',

2', and 3' respectively designate two series 55 of carbureters conveniently arranged in parallel rows and connected, as hereinafter described, so that the gas-makin g elements may be circulated through the several series progressively.

4 and 4' designate pressure-equaliziing aircharnbers, respectively connected with the two series of generators, each of said equalizing-chambers being provided with an inletpipe, as 5 and 5', arranged to lead in through 65 its upper end and preferably discharging at a point near the bottom thereof, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The two supplypipes 5- and 5' communicate with opposite ends ofa header 6, which is in turn supplied 7o through a common pipe 7, communicating with any suitable source of air under pressure-as, for instance, with an ordinary pressure-blower. Each of thepipes 5 and 5' is provided with suitable valve or turn-cock, as 8 and S',whereby the flow of air therethrough may be shut off at will. With the upper end of each of the equalizing-chambers 4 communicates a pipe, as 9 9', the intaking end of which is preferably located near the upper 8o end of its' chamber, and these pipes lead in through the top of the first ones of the respective series of carbureters and extend downwardly therein to points near the bottom Walls, so as to discharge below the liquidlevels therein, as will hereinafter appear. A similar pipe, as 10 and 10', leads out from the upper part of the first carbureter of the series and discharges within and below the liquid-levels of the next of the series, and simi- 9o lar pipes, as 11 and 11', are provided throughout the entire series. From the last carbureter of each series, as 3 and 3,outl,etpipes, as 12 and 12', extend to and communicate with a header 13, and with this header as many take-off pipes may be connected as may be desired, one only, 14, being shown in the present instance.

In practice it is found necessary to attimes modify the temperature of the air circulated roo through the carbureters to form gas, and I therefore provide in each of the equalizing" chambers 4 and 4' a heating-coil, (designated and 15', respectively,) which heating-coil may be supplied from any suitable source of heat-as, for example, through a steam-pipe 16, arranged to extend vertically above the @upper ends of the equalizing-chambers and Y other.

Describing now the system of circulating the hydrocarbon through the carbureters, which hydrocarbon may and usually will be crude petroleum or a low-grade distillate, 23 designates as a whole a suitable pump, shown in the present instance as a steam-pump, supplied with steam through a pipe 24, connected with the steam-pipe 16, hereinbefore referred to. With the receiving side of the pump-cylinder 25 communicates a supplypipe 26, the opposite end of which communicates with a source of oil-supply, hereinafter fully described. From the opposite side of said cylinder leads out a pipe 27, which is provided with two branches, as 28 and 28', respectively arranged to extend alongside of the two series of carbureters and conveniently on a level some distance above the lower ends thereof, as best indicated in Fig. 2. From these branch pipes 28 and 28' stub branches, as 29 30 3l and 29',3Q', and 31,sever ally controlled by valves 32, lead into each of the several carbureters, as clearly indicated in Fig. 1.

Outlet-pipes for the hydrocarbon are also provided for each of the carbureters of the two series, preferably arranged .as follows: From the first carbureter of each series, preferably at a point diametrically opposite its inlet-pipe 29 or 29', lead out a plurality of stub-pipe connections at different levels, as indicated at 33, 34,and 35 and 33', 34', and 35', which several stub-pipes communicate with a single stand-pipe or downtake 36 and 36', respectively, which in turn communicate with ahorizontal pipe, as 37 and 37', leading to and communicating with the nextcarbureterof the series, preferably at a point on a level with lthe pipe 37 or 37'. These connections are duplicated or repeated throughout the series of generators, so that outlets are provided from each carbureter of a series at three different levels which communicate withv the next carbureter of the series through a common connecting-pipe discharging into the latter carbureter at a level below any of the outlets of the preceding carbureter. Inasmnch asthe pipes 37 and37' connecting the several carbureters of the two :series are desirably arriesgar v:ranged on the same level they are deflected between their ends, so as not to interfere with each other, as best indicated in Fig. 1, it being understood that each pipe 37 or 37 has no connection with the succeeding pipe 37 or 37 except through the carbureter. From the last carbureter of the series a similar outletpipe,as 38 and 38', leads on and connects with a header-pipe 39 common to both series. With the header-pipe 39 communicates an outletpipe 40, which leads to a trap 41, with which communicates an outlet-pipe 42, which leads to a system of circulating-reservoirs best shown in Fig. 3 and now to be described. Referring to said Fig. 3, 44, 45, and 46 designate a series of reservoirs or tanks desirably arranged one above the other, the pipe 42 being continued to extend vertically alongside of each of said three reservoirs. From the pipe 42 branch pipes, as 47, 48, and 49, lead to and communicate with the upper part of each reservoir, these pipes being severally controlled by suitable turn-cocks 50, whereby the hydrocarbon may be admitted to either of the reservoirs or shut off at will. Each of the reservoirs is also provided at a point near its bottom with an outlet-pipe, as 51, 52, and 53,

which several outlet-pipes communicate with a common riser 54, an extension ofwhich forms the supply-pipe 26, which communicates with the circulating-pump 23. The several outlet-pipes 51, 52, and 53 are likewise provided with controlling-valves 55, whereby they may be independently shut o'.

It will be seen from the foregoing that a complete circulation is provided for the hydrocarbon, extending from the circulatingpump through each series of carbureters to the header 39, thence through the trap 4l to 'the pipe 42 and to any one or all of the several tanks, and from the latter back to the circulating-pump through the pipes 54 and 26. Means are also provided for short-circuiting the series of tanks, so that the hydrocarbon may at will be circulated from the pipe 42 directly across to the return-pipe 54, such means comprising into present instance a cross connecting-pipe 56, extending between the pipes 42 and 54 at a point above the uppermost reservoir. The pipe 56 is provided with a valve 57, which may be closed to pre- Vent the short circulation at will.

In order that a uniform vpressure may obtain Within the several reservoirs, the upper portions thereof are arranged to communicate with each other, each of said reservoirs being to this end provided with a communicating pipe, as 60, 61, and 62, which several pipes communicate with a stand-pipe 63. The several pipes 60, 61, and 62 are also provided with suitable valves 64. The stand-pipe 63, with the connecting-pipes 60, 6l, and 62 communicating therewith, also enables the system of tanks to be utilized for distilling off the hydrocarbons of light specific gravity from one tank and condensing the distillate in another of the series, as will hereinafter IOO viaaav i c) appear. ach of the several tanks is provided with a filling-inlet, eachbeing conveniently and as shown herein provided at its upper side with a short pipe of relatively large diameter 65, provided with ling-cock 66.

In the practical use of apparatus of this character it is found that a certain amount of residue will be left after all the gas has been obtained therefrom which is practicable, and the major portion of this residue will obviously collect at the bottoms of the several reservoirs. Means are therefore provided for withdrawing any portion of the contents of the reservoirs at will. To this end each reservoir is provided with an outletpipe, as 67, 68, and 69, whichseveraloutletpipes communicate with a com mon dischargepipe 70,which may lead to any suitable point of discharge. These several pipes 67, 68, 69, `and '70 are also provided with suitable controlling-valves 7l and 72.

In the carrying out of the process of generating gas from hydrocarbomespecially from crude petroleum and the lower distillates, I have found that the generation of the'gas is accompanied by a substantial lowering of a controltemperature of the liquid and that the gen- `circulate the hydrocarbon through any one of the same, and material advantage will be obtained thereby, as will hereinafter appear.

Means are also provided for draining the several carbureters of the two series, and to this end I provide each carbureter with an outletpipe, as 76, located near the bottom thereof and conveniently upon the same side as the several overflow-pipes. `These several outletpipes 76 are arranged to communicate with risers 77, 7S, and 79 and 77', 78', and 79', which in turn discharge into a common drain-pipe 80, said risers being shown as conveniently forming extensions of the several pipes 36 and 36'. The common` drainpipe 8O extends to and` communicates with the end of the header 39, thus communicating with the reservoirs in the manner hereinbefore described, and in order that each carburetermay be drained independently of the other the several drain-pipes 76 are provided with controlling-cocksSl. .Atv the conjuncture of the risers 77, 78, and 79 and 77', 78',

Vand 7 9l with the several pipes 36and 36' are located turn-cocks 82, which are normally closed, but may be open for a purpose hereinafter described. In this connection also it may be explained that any one of the series of carbureters may be cut out of circuit by opening the drain-pipe 76 thereof, so as to let the oil out of the carbureter and closing its inlet-pipe, which communicates with the distributing-pipes 29 or 29'. sired to cut out of circuit one of the intermediate carbureters-as, for example, No. 2- this may be accomplished by draining that carbureter and shutting o its supply, as hereinbefore described, and then opening the cocks 82 of the two risers 77 and 79 at each side thereof, so that the oil will circulate from the first carbureter through the drain-pipe 8O past the intermediate carbureter and into the one beyond thro ugh the riser 79. .T his method of cutting out one or more of the carbureters is, however, not desirable.

In practice it is found desirable to pass the carbureted air or gas through a iltering medium in the several carbureters, this filtering medium serving both to prevent the too rapid or free iiow of the air from one carbureter to the other and also serving to prevent the carrying over of oil from one to the other in the form of spray. Accordingly one or more of the carbureters, preferably each one of the series, is provided with a filling of loose porous material, through which the carbureted air or gas may pass readily-such, for example, as granulated stone, coke, or the like, as indicated at 83 and 84 in Fig. 2. In the yinstance shown the filtering material is divided into two bodies and is supported in position by means of perforated diaphragm or partition plates 85 secured at suitable intervals apart at points intermediate the height of the carbureter.

Describing next the circulation of the air through the series of carbureters, assuming that the main inlet-pipe 7 is connected with any suitable source of supply of air under pressure, the air entering the header 6 passes into the equalizing-chambers 44' and is there heated by contact with the heating-coil 15, through which steam or other suitable heating fluid is circulated. From the equalizingchamber the air passes out through the pipe 9 to the first carbureter of the series, the end of said pipe 9 being submerged below the liquid-level therein. The pressure of the air forces back the liquid in the pipe and escapes, rising upward through the body of the liquid into the space above the liquid, becoming to a certain extent charged with the gas by being thus passed through the body of the oil. From the first carbureter the air passes on into the next and through the body of oil contained therein, and so on throughout the series, being finally taken off from the` last carbureter. of the series through the outletpipe 12, `which communicates with theheader 13. The circulation through each series is identical, and inasmuch as both series of carbureters discharge into the header 13 the gas taken `off through the outlet-pipe `let, communicating with said header, willbeof uniform In case it be de- ,t

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quality, notwithstanding there may be slight differences'in the quality of gas produced by the different series of carbureters. It' preferred, however, the gas may of course be led off i" rom each series separately, and this may be advisable where it is desirable to produce different qualities of gas from the same ap paratus. This latter result may be attained by simply passing the air through a greater or less number of carbureters.

Describing now more particularly the operation of the series of reservoirs in conjunction with the gas-generating apparatus the several tanks may be conveniently utilized for holding different qualities of hydrocarbon. For example, assuming that a quality of hydrocarbon is used which contains a certain percentage of distillate which is too light to be used advantageouslyin the gas-generating apparatus the hydrocarbon may be charged into one of the reservoirs-for example, the uppermost one-and heated by means of the heating-coil 73 thereof to asufflcient temperature to cause the lighter distillate to pass off as vapor and through the pipes and 63 into one of the lower reservoirs, where it may be condensed. When the hydrocarbon in the uppermost reservoir has been reduced to a proper quality, the distillation may be arrested and this supply of hydrocarbon used for generating gas, while the same process of distilling may be carried on with the two remaining reservoirs, thereby insuring a ready supf ply at all times Without interruption of the gas-making process. Ordinarily, however, the several reservoirs will not be used for distilling as described, but will be used alternatively to supply the oil needed for circulation through the carbureters, the two upper reservoirs being used alternatively and the lowermost reservoir being employed to receive the residuum which is too heavy and cannot be converted into gas.

The provision of the heating-coils in each of the reservoirs enables the hydrocarbon to be kept at the temperature most conducive to the generation of gas, and I have found in practice a large percentage of theI oil can be converted into gas when the oil is kept warm. The operation of filling the several tanks is obvious, and the manipulation of the connections so as to throw either one in circuit with the carbureter system and also the manipulation of the connections for draining or discharging the several tanks have hereinbefore been fully described and need not be repeated.

The operation of the apparatus, constructed as hereinbefore described, may be as follows: Assuming that a suitable supply of hydrocarbon is placed in one or more of the reservoirs, the valves are so set as to connect the circulating-pipes 42 and'54 therewith and the pump 23 started and continued in operation until the several carbureters have been charged up to their normal working levels and the oil begins to overflow back into the reservoir. Oil pumped in through the pipe 27 and branches 28 and 28 thereof enters the first pair of carbureters l and l through the former, and descends through the pipe 36 to the pipe 37, leading to tne next carbureter of the series. In this carbureter the oil again rises to the overowlevel,passing out through its pipe 34 or 35 and through the next communicating-pipe 37 to the last carbureter, as before. From the last carbureter of the series the oil overflows into thepipe 38 and' thence to the header 39, entering the trap 4l through the pipe 40 and passing on from the trap through pipe 42 to the reservoir, which for illustration may be considered as being the uppermost reservoir 44, thus completing the circuit of circulation. Obviously the depth of oil in the dierent carbureters may be determined by properly setting the cocks controlling the pipes 34 and 35, it being understood that if the two latter pipes are closed the oil will be compelled to pass out from the uppermost pipe 33, which is open at all times. It will be obvious also that this last pipe affords a safety overflow which would prevent Iiooding of the carbureter in case the branch pipe which serves to determine the normal level should become clogged.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that a system embodying my invention may be made of a capacity to meet almost any possible demand, since the number of series of carbureters connected in multiple in manner described may be multiplied to any reasonable extent. the system of connections Aand arrangement shown it is possible to disconnect or cut out not only any given carbureter, but any entire series of carbureters, without mechanically disconnecting the units.y The system c011- structed and arranged as described is admirably adapted for installation below ground, and especially the supply or reservoir part of the system, for the reason that there are no moving or operative parts except the turncocks, and those may be readily connected up so as to be operated from aboveground, and the system may therefore be operated indefinitely without inspection. The possibility of locating the hydrocarbon-supply underground is a feature the importance of which need not be dwelt upon.

The novel process of generating gas by the use of an apparatus wherein a constant circulation, of the hydrocarbon is maintained and the air is passed successively through Furthermore, byl

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bodies of liquid is made the subject of another application filed contemporaneously hereWith,Serial No. 85,070, and is therefore not made the subject of claims herein.

I claim as my inventionl. In a gas-making apparatus, the combination of a series of carbureters, ahydrocarbon-supply pipe arranged to extend along the series of carbureters, and provided with a branch pipe communicating with each, controlling-cocks for the several branch inlets, an overflow outlet-pipe leading out of each carbureter and communica-ting with the next of the series, except the last, the outlet of which communicates with a return-pipe, a drain-pipe communicating with each carbureter, a common return-pipe with which both the drain-pipe and the outlet-pipe of the last of the series of generators communicates, and means for circulating the hydrocarbon through the series of carbureters.

'2. In a gas-making apparatus, the combination of a series of carbureters, a hydrocarbon-supply pipe arranged to extend along the series of carbureters and provided with a branch pipe communicating with each, controlling-cocks for several branch inlet-pipes, an overflow-pipe leading out of each carbureter and communicating with the next of the series, except the last, an overiioW-pipe for the latter, a common return-pipewith which said latter overflow pipe communicates, a drain-pipe branch communicating with each carbureter, a drain-pipe common to said several branches and arranged to communicate with the common return-pipe, and controlling-cocks foreach of said branch drain-pipes,

` substantially as described.

3. In a gas-making apparatus, the combination of a series of carbureters, a hydrocarbon-supply pipe arranged to extend along the series of carbureters, and provided with a branch pipe communicating with each, controlling-cocks foi-said several branch inletpipes, an overflow outlet-pipe leading out of each carbureter of the series, except the last, and communicating with the next in order, an outlet-pipe leading from the last of the series, a common return-pipe with which said last outlet pipe communicates, a branch drain-pipe leading from the bottom of each carbureter, risers communicating with said several outlet and drain pipes ot` each carbureter, a commondrain-pipe with which each of said risers communicates, said drain-pipe likewise communicating with the common return-pipe, and controlling-cocks arranged to control the communications between the several carbureters and risers, and between the overflow outlet-pipes of the carbureters and risers, as and for the purpose set forth.

4E. In a gas-making apparatus, the combination ot a series of carbureters, a hydrocarbon-supply pipe arranged to discharge into the irst carbureter of the series, a riser arranged adjacent to each carbureter, a plurality ot outlet-pipes forming communication between each carbureter and its riser at different levels, cocks arranged to control each of said outlets, except the uppermost, an overiiow outlet -pipe extending from each riser to, and communicating with the carbureters of the next in order of the series, except the last, an overflow outlet-pipe extending from the latter to, and communicating with a common return-pipe, a series of drainpipes, one for each carbureter communicating with said respective risers, a common drain-pipe with which the lower ends of the several risers communicate, cocks arranged to control said drain-pipes, said common drain-pipe being also arranged to communicate with said common return-pipe, and a pump operating to return the hydrocarbon from the common return-pipe to the supplypipe, substantially as described.

5. In a gas-making apparatus, the combination of a series of carbureters, a hydrocarbon-supply pipe arranged to discharge into the first carbureter of the series, a riser arranged adjacent to each carbureter, a plurality of outlet-pipes forming communication between each carbureter and its riser at different levels, cocks arranged to control each of said outlets, except the uppermost, an overiiow outlet-pipe extending from each riser to, and communicating with the carbureter of the next in order of the series, except the last, an overflow outlet-pipe extending from the latter to, and communicating with a common return-pipe, a series of drain-pipes, one for each carbureter communicating with said respective risers, a common drain-pipe with which t-he lower ends of the several risers communicate, cocks arranged to control said drain-pipes, said common drain-pipe being also arranged to communicate with said commou return-pipe, a reservoir into which said return-pipe discharges, and a pump, having its suction side in communication with its reservoir and its discharge side communicating with the discharge-pipe of the system, substantially as described.

6. In a gas-making apparatus, the combination of a plurality of series of carbureters, a common hydrocarbon-supply pipe, provided with branches arranged to communicate with the iirst carbureter of each series, an overflow outlet-pipe leading out of each carbureter and communicating with the next of its series, except as to the last carbureters ofthe said several series, overflow outletpipes for said severallast carbu reters, a common return-pipe with which the overflow- `pipes of the last carbureters severally communicate, a series of gas-pipes for each series of carbureters receiving their supply from a common source of air or gas under pressure, each of said gas-pipes being arranged to discharge, below the liquid-level of the carbureter into which it discharges, and a common main into which all of the outlet gas-pipes of the last carbureters of the several series discharge, as and for the purpose set forth.`

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7. In a gas-making apparatus, the combination of a plurality of series of carbureters, a common hydrocarbon supply pipe provided with branches arranged to communicate with the first carbureter of each series, an overflow outlet-pipe leading out of each carbnreter and communicating with the next of its series, except as to the last carbureters of the said several series, overow outletpipes for said several last carbureters, a common return -pipe with which the overflow- ,pipes of the last carbureters severally communicate, a pump having its inlet side arranged to communicate with said return-pipe, and its discharge side communicating with said hydrocarbon-supply pipe, a series of gaspipes for each series of carbureters receiving their supply from a common source of air or gas under pressure, each of said gas-pipes being arranged to discharge below the liquidlevel of the carbureter into which it discharges, and a gas-outlet pipe leading from the last carbureter of each series.

8. Ina gas-making apparatus the combination of a plurality of series of carbureters, a system of hydrocarbon supply and discharge pipes connecting said series in multiple with a common return-pipe, and a pump connected with said common return-pipe and with the supply-pipe of said hydrocarbon system whereby a circulation of hydrocarbon is maintained through the carbureters.

9. In a gas-making apparatus, the combination of a plurality of series of carbureters, a system of hydrocarbon supply and discharge pipes connecting said series in multiple with a common return-pipe, a pump connected with said common return-pipe and with the supply-pipe of said hydrocarbon system, and a system of gas-pipes having a common source of supply of air or gas under pressure, and likewise connecting said several series in multiple, Wherebyacirculation of hydrocarbon is maintained through lthe carbureters.

10. In a gas-making apparatus, the combination of a plurality of series of carbureters, a system of hydrocarbon supply and discharge pipes connecting said series in multiple with a common return-pipe, a pump connected with said common return-pipe and with the su pply-pipe of said hydrocarbon system, and a system of gas-pipes havingacommon source-of supply of air or gas under pressure, likewise connecting said several series in multiple, and means for initially heaty ing said supply of air or gas.

l1. In a gas-making apparatus, the combination of a plurality of series of carbureters, a system of hydrocarbon-supply pipes connecting said series in multiple with a common return-pipe, a pump connected with said common return-pipe and with the supply-pipe of said hydrocarbon system, and a system of gas-pipes having a common source of supply of air or gas under pressure, likewise connecting said several series in multiple, and means for heating the hydrocarbon-supply during one part of its circulation.

l2. In combination with a series of carbureters, the hydrocarbon-supply-pipe system thereof and a common return-pipe, a plurality of reservoirs connected in parallel between the common return and supply pipes of said system, substantially as described. A

13. In combination with a series of carbureters and the hydrocarbon-supply-pipe system thereof, a plurality of reservoirs arranged at different elevations and connected in parallel between the common return and supply pipes of said system, substantially as described.

14. In combination witha series of carbureters and the hydrocarbon-supply-pipe system thereof, a plurality of reservoirs arranged at dierent elevations and connected in parallel between the common return and supply pipes of said system, each ot' said reservoirs being provided with a heating-coil, substantially as described.

15. In combination with a series of curbureters and the hydrocarbon-supply-pipe system thereof, a plurality of reservoirs arranged at different elevations and connected in parallel between the common return and supply pipes of said system, each of said reservoirs being provided with a heating-coil, and a riser provided with branch pipes` communieating with the upper part of each of the series of reservoirs, as and for the purpose Aset forth.

GEORGE L. HARVEY.

Witnesses:

ALBERT H. GRAVES, FREDERICK C. GOODWIN.

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